Benefit of Varsity Sports

I had questions about the benefits of playing a varsity sport at the academy. I am not sure whether i want to play or not. I have heard that there are some benefits such as team tables, but part of me wants to play a more carefree intramural sport. I also feel like a varsity sport would be even more hardwork ontop of an already challenging life. Any thoughts?

As Marvin & Kero have stated this is a personal choice. Our local parents club has 3 mids that are on the waterpolo team, which is nationally ranked. The time and dedication required to make and play on this team is huge.

My mid is playing on one of the Academy's Club teams, still it's a nationally ranked team that demands a huge commitment of time for practice 5 days a week and games & tournaments on the weekends. Plus throw in travel time. So juggleing academics, military duty, and throw in playing competetive sports makes for a very busy and tired midshipmen. Mine has described to me numerous times how well the body and mind can adjust to surviving on 3 hours of sleep per night for weeks at a time.

On the positive side the bonds that are made on some of the sports teams will last a lifetime and can be much stronger than friendships that may or may not be inside your company. There is no right or wrong answer here and my suggestion would be to get into the AC year and detirmin what is right for you.

Decide when you get there. Try it, you may like it. If not, skip it in the future.
My Mid was SO happy to be a teammate, rather than a plebe, for a few hours every day. Certainly there are tough demands, but also some great opportunities. I'm not suggesting anybody @ USNA exploits athletic standing but ... OK, maybe some do. A little. Sometimes. An injury has prevented my Mid from continuing on his team, and he misses the sport terribly, but also misses the perq's.